I enter Strike Tower in a trance, not really paying attention to anything around me. I feel someone grab my arm and I jump, fearing that it is Grayson. “Hey, it's me.” Liam says sensing my unease. “Everything okay?” He asks, halting my progression. I stop just shy of the elevators to face him. The moment his hazel eyes meet mine, I lose all sense. I grab his hand and pull him towards the stairwell. He doesn't protest and follows behind me.
I lead him down to the basement floor and through a door that I know to be an old storage closet that sits off to the right. I file a lot of my old files down here and I know that it is rarely used. Liam steps inside, clearly confused but he doesn't say anything. I lean past him once he clears the door to pull it closed and snap the lock into place.
“Addison, what's going on?” Liam finally asks, his voice riddled with concern.
“Shhh. I don't want to talk, just kiss me.” I say pushing his back against the door and wrapping my hands around the back of his head. He lets me guide his head down and the moment his lips meet mine, everything else ceases to matter.
He kisses me back with so much force that my knees literally shake, barely able to support my weight. I break away from his mouth and instantly go for the button of his jeans. “Whoa whoa, slow down. What's going on?” Liam asks, halting my actions for the moment.
“Please, I just need this..... Please.” I say again, desperation taking over my ability to think clearly.
Sensing my urgency he doesn't say more. Instead he spins me around and pins me to the door, his mouth finding mine again. I moan into the kiss and arch my back into him so that my stomach rubs up against his erection. I reach my hands back down and this time successfully undo his pants. I slip my hand into his boxers and moan again at the enormous size of his rigid erection. He twitches in my hand, his breath labored as he takes my mouth more urgently.
“Now.” I pant breaking away from his lips. He doesn't hesitate. Pulling my dress to my waist, Liam hoists me up, my legs wrapping around him. He takes my mouth again as he carries me a couple of feet to an old desk against the side wall. He gently lays me across the desk and quickly removes my panties before positioning himself between my legs.
Sensing my urgency, he plunges in me with one, hard, deep thrust. I cry out, overcome with the pleasure of having him inside of me. He picks up a quick rhythm, pounding in and out of me so hard that my back scoots up and down on the top of the desk. I can feel my orgasm building within seconds, his relentless thrusts bringing me to the edge almost immediately.
I don't fight it. Instead I let the explosion take me on a loud cry as I spasm around his dick still buried deep inside me. He pulls me into a sitting position and takes my mouth with his, giving me two more deep thrusts before he climaxes. I can feel his whole body tighten around me, his heart beating against my chest hard and fast.
Once he has a moment to compose himself, he pulls back to look into my eyes. The worry written all over his face is apparent. “What was that all about?” He breathes out, still panting from our quick romp on the desk.
“I've had a really bad morning.” I say on a little laugh. “It has gotten surprisingly better now.” I say, kissing him playfully on the tip of his nose. His smile is bright but I can sense the apprehension on his face.
“You want to talk about it?” He asks, his voice so gentle it makes me want to burst into tears. I shake my head and pull him to me, his arms going tightly around my back to hold me close. I grip my hands around his neck and inhale deeply. He smells divine, a mixture of body wash and cologne. It's enough to make me want to go in for another round, but unfortunately I know I am out of time.
“I have to get back to work.” I say, releasing my hold on him. He takes a step back as I slip off the desk and reposition my underwear. I push myself up on my tip toes and give him a quick peck on the corner of his mouth. “Will I see you later?” I ask as he re-buttons his pants.
“As if you could keep me away.” He says, smiling brightly at me. My heart melts instantly and it is here in this moment that I realize just how deep I have fallen and so quickly. I turn without another word and leave him standing in the storage closet.
I make my way back to my desk in record speed, thankful to have no messages waiting for me. I know Grayson, and I know he won't let this go without a fight. None of that matters now. All that matters is Liam and how he makes me feel. What happened today is so very out of character for me, to the point that I feel a bit ashamed. But I couldn't stop it. The moment I saw him, I knew I had to have him.
I wanted to forget about my horrible conversation with Grayson, I wanted to lose myself in Liam's touch. Before I saw him, I felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin. Now, I feel calm, at peace. Like being with him is all I would ever need to make me feel better. The hold he has on my body is undeniable. It's the hold that he has on my heart that terrifies me.
––––––––
I
don't see Liam Tuesday and have to settle for a phone conversation on Wednesday. With the Bella Vita project coming up quickly I find myself having very little free time. As I wrap up early on Thursday, I decide to take a drive over to Serendipity to surprise him.
It's just after seven and while I don't know his schedule, I am hopeful that he will be there. I walk through the casino paying very little attention to my surroundings. It's busy which I guess shouldn't surprise me. Is there ever a time casinos aren't busy in Las Vegas? I make my way down the escalator and realize quickly that I have never been here this early before. For a moment I wonder if they are even open. The usual bouncers that flock the door are no where to be found.
I walk in to find a few people scattered throughout the room. The music is soft and blends into the background, which is completely different from what I am used to. I search the area but don't see Liam anywhere.
I make my way to the main bar and wait for the bartender to finish his conversation with a couple young girls before he makes his way over to me. I don't remember seeing him here before. He's a nice looking guy. I would guess in his early thirties with messy spiked blonde hair and eyes so light blue they almost look white. His face is covered in a light stubble and his sleeved tattoos complete the look.
“What can I get ya?” He asks, his voice smooth yet commanding.
“Actually I was looking for Liam.” I say. “Does he work today?”
“I think he's in the casino. Do you want a drink?” He asks, grabbing a towel from behind the bar and proceeding to wipe up the remains of a spilled drink to my left.
“No, I'm good, thanks.” I say pushing away from the bar. I start to make my way towards the exit, trying to decide if I want to try my luck at finding him in the casino when someone steps into my line of sight, halting my progression.
I recognize her immediately, the girl who walked in on me and Liam the last time I was here. Her blonde hair is tied up in a loose pony and she looks rather pissed. Not really sure what else to do I continue forward, intending to avoid her. Unfortunately it would appear as though she is waiting for me and when I turn towards the exit she follows me out.
I no more than get two steps from the escalator when I hear her voice call out. “Hey.” She says from behind me. I turn to see her advancing quickly on me. “We need to talk.” She spits out, sending me into utter confusion. I have no doubt this has everything to do with Liam, I'm just not sure why.
“O-k-a-y.” I stretch out, making my confusion clear. She walks past me, past the escalators, into a hallway that sits just behind them. Not really sure of what else to do, I follow her but stop just inside the hallway entrance. It's dimly lit and appears to be an alternate route in and out of the bar area. I can see a red exit sign glowing at the end, directly above a set of double doors.
“I just want to tell you, woman to woman, that I don't appreciate whatever it is you are doing with Liam. Him and I are back together now and while I am sure you had your fun, it's time to back off.” She rambles out causing my head to spin and my insides to seize up.
“I'm sorry, and you are?” I ask, not allowing her to see how much I am bothered by her words.
“Jill.” She says, giving her pony tail a twist with her fingers. “Liam's girlfriend.” She clarifies.
“I'm sorry but I wasn't aware that he had a girlfriend.” I stumble out completely mortified. As much as I want to believe she is just some jealous girl trying to scare me off, I can't help but think that maybe she's telling me the truth. He did, after all, leave me that night to be with her. I never questioned him about it. He swooped in and swept me off my feet so quickly honestly I really kind of forgot about it.
“We split up for a while, and I am aware of his indiscretions during that time, you being one of them. But the past is the past and we have decided we are best for each other. When I saw you here I knew you were looking for him. I figured it was the perfect time to clear the air.” She says, cattiness lacing her voice.
I don't know if it's the information that she's giving me or just her very presence but I have the overwhelming urge to punch her square in the face right here and now.
“Well I will wait for Liam to tell me that himself.” I say, not missing the anger that flashes across her face at my words. “Now if you will excuse me.” I say spinning on my heel and stomping off, leaving her standing, gawking at me from behind.
I don't try to find Liam. My only thought is getting the hell away from here and whatever crazy is going to come at me next. Her words replay in my head over and over on the drive home. Is what she said true? Did they recently get back together? Was I something to just fill his time? The thought rips me apart and only confirms why I never wanted to get involved with him in the first place.
In such a short period of time, I have given him so much power. He has no idea that he holds my happiness in his hands. Should he walk away from me now the pain would be more than I could bare. So much so that just the thought of it is crippling.
I enter my apartment in a haze, still a bit shaken up over my less than pleasant encounter with a blonde beauty. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. He and I never made sense. He is completely out of my league, in a category all his own. He belongs with someone like Jill, who probably has guys falling at her feet on a daily basis.
“Addison, is that you?” I hear Kristina call down the hall as I toss my keys on the kitchen counter.
“Yeah.” I call back, making my way to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. She emerges from her room looking like she has a very special evening planned for herself. Her blonde bob is smooth, not a hair out of place. Her makeup is done beautifully and really makes her blue eyes pop. And the dress, well, the dress speaks for itself. A short black racy number. Halter style with a low scoop that leaves very little to the imagination.
“You look amazing. I take it you have plans tonight?” I ask, being extremely cautious not to let the disappointment I feel show in my voice. I was really hoping to have the chance to talk to her about what happened this evening but I refuse to ruin her plans so I keep my mouth shut.
“Sam's taking me out.” She beams at me, clearly very excited. “I would love to catch up but I'm already late.” She says, giving me a quick hug on her way towards the exit. “Wish me luck.” She sings as she opens the door.
“Good luck.” I call after her as she pulls the door closed behind her. The second she's gone, the air seems to buzz in silence. I wasn't anticipating being alone tonight and with everything that has transpired over the last few days, I feel a bit uneasy.
I keep myself busy rummaging the kitchen for something to eat. Finally deciding to cook, concluding it will at least give me something to do. I pull out everything I need to make Spaghetti and get to work. It feels good to cook, something I love to do and have not done in quite some time.
I turn the radio on that Kristina keeps on top of the refrigerator and proceed to sing and dance around while making dinner. I refuse to let myself obsess over Liam and my encounter with Jill. If denial keeps me happy for a few minutes longer than I am completely content not letting myself admit defeat just yet.
By the time I am finished I have enough food to feed four people and probably enough for two on my plate alone. Just as I am about to sit down to eat, there is a light knock on the door. Not really sure who it could be and not having the luxury of a peep hole, I almost ignore it but decide not to at the chance that it could be Liam. I crack the door open and before I even have time to react, the door is shoved open, the corner hitting me in the head, knocking me backwards. Not able to keep my balance, I fall to the floor disoriented.
For a moment the room swirls and I lose all ability to focus. Everything seems blurred and out of sorts. I can see a face hovering over me but it feels like an eternity before I can make out who it is. That is until his face comes into perfect view.
“Grayson.” I sputter out, realizing very quickly that I am bleeding and not one hundred percent sure where it's coming from. He reaches down and pulls me to him, the alcohol on his breath invading my nostrils. I have never known him to be much of a drinker but I would say tonight he had way more than he could handle.
“I love you.” He says, his words slurred, his body swaying. He leans down, forcefully pressing his lips to mine. It's rough and unwanted and I do my best to fight against him.
“Grayson STOP!” I scream out against his mouth. I have never been truly afraid of him, until now. I try to fight my way out of his arms but my petite figure is no match for him. His lips continue their assault, but I am not strong enough to break away from him. I do the only thing I can think of, I take his bottom lip between mine and I bite down, hard.
He cries out in pain and shoves me backwards, my right leg catching the side of the chair causing me to stumble. He moves towards me, his body full of aggression, his eyes full of anger. “Grayson this isn't you.” I plead with him stepping around the coffee table to put something, anything between us. “You're drunk. Let me call you a cab. We can forget this ever happened.”